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Benefits of glass roof on tesla 3: 1. Painted metal fades with UV exposure, glass does not. 2. Glass is quick and easy to clean compared to more sensitive painted metal. 3. The acid in bird poo corrodes paint but is no issue for glass. 4. Paint flakes and splits and bulges with metal rusting underneath, again no problem with glass. Consequently, a glass roof for tesla cars will be longer lasting with no loss in aesthetics and more easily maintained. This excites me more than the thought of looking at clouds when your eyes should be on the road. I'm a new member and happy to be part of the tesla 3 club.

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The metal roof would likely be aluminum, no rusting. Pigment (not dye) used in paint does not fade with UV exposure, surface oxidation easily removed with wax/cleaner. Bird poop is acidic and will cause some etching if left on the surface, so wash your car regularly. Glass IS easier to clean but also easier to chip or crack from stones thrown by other vehicles. Insurance will cover this, but not paint chips. Glass is heavier.

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I have to admit - one of the big reasons I'm looking forward to getting a Model 3 is because there's going to be SOOO much less body panel area to keep waxed.

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I have a glass roof on my Optima. Living in Florida, I was a little nervous with it. It does have a liner that can be retracted but still have not had much of an issue with the heat without the liner. Also, I was nervous about wind noise but that too was not an issue. It's a big plus with regards to maintenance. I will get the glass and sunroof for the 3.

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My preference would be for a solid metal roof, glass worries me with rock chips and cracks of which I get a lot of in the windshield. I'm having to replace a windshield at least annually and thats driving less than 10k miles/year. Also here in Az the sun and heat is a real concern. So I hope there will be an option for a non glass roof.

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My preference would be for a solid metal roof, glass worries me with rock chips and cracks of which I get a lot of in the windshield. I'm having to replace a windshield at least annually and thats driving less than 10k miles/year. Also here in Az the sun and heat is a real concern. So I hope there will be an option for a non glass roof.

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Im guessing it wont be an option and they'll provide a sunshade. Just to limit the config options.

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I would be concerned about rock chips and cracks needed frequent expensive replacement if the roof is the same piece of glass as the windshield, as is true with the X. But I don't think that is the case on the 3 or S.

Driving Minis for many years with their very vertical windshields I have had to replace them very often. Thankfully I live in a state where glass replacement is required to be covered by insurance and easily done in your driveway. Even so, I have had multiple instances where they were not sealed properly, and rain slowly got into the interior, eventually causing the body computer to fail and plenty of rust. Then again the MINI's roof was 90% glass as well with a huge front sunroof and rear moonroof, and I NEVER had a problem with chips, cracks, or leaks there. If a rock clears your windshield, it just goes over your car. Lots of compressed air up there to guarantee it.

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What about the potential water spots/calcium deposits that frequently appear on windows? Doesn't this become an eyesore if your whole view through the roof is littered with spots?! I live in an area where there is no garage available for sheltering the car from rain, random sprinkler attacks, or even hard hose water. Any advice or shared wisdom there?

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What about the potential water spots/calcium deposits that frequently appear on windows? Doesn't this become an eyesore if your whole view through the roof is littered with spots?! I live in an area where there is no garage available for sheltering the car from rain, random sprinkler attacks, or even hard hose water. Any advice or shared wisdom there?

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RainX is inexpensive but must be renewed often, ChrystalFusion cost more but is more durable.

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I would love a glass roof. But I have issues that concern me enough to actually mark down metal (as of now).

I live in the Phoenix area which presents two challenges.

The first is heat. I am very concerned about the heat with this glass. I know there are going to be all kinds of coatings and tints and "whatevers," but it still concerns me. Even if it somehow blocks the direct rays. Even if the sun shining through the roof in July does not feel warm on my head or pants, that heat still has to go somewhere. Will the inside of the glass get as hot as I can imagine. My office has the highest level of tint available this side of just black. During the summer you can't even touch that glass. So I need to learn more about how the glass roof will work before I order it. But I really do want it.

Second is rocks - AZ is reportedly second to only Colorado for replaced windshields per vehicle. I'm in insurance and deal with this every day. So rocks are going to hit the car and there is little I will be able to do to stop them. This to me though is a lesser problem because of the angle the rocks typically fly at the car. There should not be too much of the roof exposed to direct horizontal hits. But it's a consideration. In AZ you can buy auto comprehensive coverage (covers anything that is not a collision) with a standard deductible, but with a $0 deductible for glass. It costs more, but about 95% of my customers carry it. If you replace your windshield every 2 years it's cheaper to carry the $0 deductible glass coverage. Currently this coverage includes any safety glass on the vehicle. But will it include the entire top of a car? Don't know. Another consideration.

But really the heat is my primary concern.

I have not read through the whole thread yet, but would be interested in your input if you have experience with glass roofs in the Southwest.

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I would love a glass roof. But I have issues that concern me enough to actually mark down metal (as of now).

I live in the Phoenix area which presents two challenges.

The first is heat. I am very concerned about the heat with this glass. I know there are going to be all kinds of coatings and tints and "whatevers," but it still concerns me. Even if it somehow blocks the direct rays. Even if the sun shining through the roof in July does not feel warm on my head or pants, that heat still has to go somewhere. Will the inside of the glass get as hot as I can imagine. My office has the highest level of tint available this side of just black. During the summer you can't even touch that glass. So I need to learn more about how the glass roof will work before I order it. But I really do want it.

Second is rocks - AZ is reportedly second to only Colorado for replaced windshields per vehicle. I'm in insurance and deal with this every day. So rocks are going to hit the car and there is little I will be able to do to stop them. This to me though is a lesser problem because of the angle the rocks typically fly at the car. There should not be too much of the roof exposed to direct horizontal hits. But it's a consideration. In AZ you can buy auto comprehensive coverage (covers anything that is not a collision) with a standard deductible, but with a $0 deductible for glass. It costs more, but about 95% of my customers carry it. If you replace your windshield every 2 years it's cheaper to carry the $0 deductible glass coverage. Currently this coverage includes any safety glass on the vehicle. But will it include the entire top of a car? Don't know. Another consideration.

But really the heat is my primary concern.

I have not read through the whole thread yet, but would be interested in your input if you have experience with glass roofs in the Southwest.

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Any chance you can check out a Model S or X on a HOT day when the cars are out in the sun to see how they do?

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I have the same concerns, and I don't think they are insignificant. Living and driving here in the valley (phx) I've had more windshield replacements in the 5 years I've lived here than the rest of my driving life, which is significant! And as you suggested the sun in the summer is very intense making careless grasping of door handles dangerous. I can only imagine what the greenhouse effect in the cabin would be like. The hope is that a pre-cooling remotely will be an option as it is in the Model S&X. The other thing I wonder about is the possibility of covering the roof glass with a paint protecting like film. One that would protect the glass and add additional tint?

I would love a glass roof. But I have issues that concern me enough to actually mark down metal (as of now).

I live in the Phoenix area which presents two challenges.

The first is heat. I am very concerned about the heat with this glass. I know there are going to be all kinds of coatings and tints and "whatevers," but it still concerns me. Even if it somehow blocks the direct rays. Even if the sun shining through the roof in July does not feel warm on my head or pants, that heat still has to go somewhere. Will the inside of the glass get as hot as I can imagine. My office has the highest level of tint available this side of just black. During the summer you can't even touch that glass. So I need to learn more about how the glass roof will work before I order it. But I really do want it.

Second is rocks - AZ is reportedly second to only Colorado for replaced windshields per vehicle. I'm in insurance and deal with this every day. So rocks are going to hit the car and there is little I will be able to do to stop them. This to me though is a lesser problem because of the angle the rocks typically fly at the car. There should not be too much of the roof exposed to direct horizontal hits. But it's a consideration. In AZ you can buy auto comprehensive coverage (covers anything that is not a collision) with a standard deductible, but with a $0 deductible for glass. It costs more, but about 95% of my customers carry it. If you replace your windshield every 2 years it's cheaper to carry the $0 deductible glass coverage. Currently this coverage includes any safety glass on the vehicle. But will it include the entire top of a car? Don't know. Another consideration.

But really the heat is my primary concern.

I have not read through the whole thread yet, but would be interested in your input if you have experience with glass roofs in the Southwest.